The Effects of Modern Development
Many of the challenges to living in the Andaman Sea for the Moken are largely due to the effects of modern development, therefore the two topics are very similar, sitting hand in hand.
The Moken People are one of the very few communities that have remained untouched by modern development for a very long time. Until the 1980's, the Moken had tried extremely hard to keep the sea, the islands and their culture very customary. However, after the tsunami,in 2004, things started to get tough. Everything had been washed out to sea and vegetation had been badly affected. They had to try to rebuild their whole civilisation. Restrictions and challenges had also arisen with the influence of tourism over the past 32 years wiping out the little plants they have left and pressures from the military and government. Some Moken tribes are now being forced to live in permanent villages and adapt a modern-day life-style despite their strong unwillingness.For most this is a struggle. "'The sea has changed and life has changed,'" ... Reports Jao Klatalee, a Moken village man... "'Things we used to do we can't do any more. Places we used to go we can't go any more. Life isn't fun any more.'"(Hodal:2012) Living in one spot can also prove a variety of difficulties from younger generations being unable to find spouses to a lack of opportunities to trade for required, traditional food. As now, more and more Moken are living on the mainland, new costs (like electricity) are being met that the Moken are not used to and have no jobs to pay them off with. Men wait in hope that someone will hire them, so they can pay their new bills. Most are hired by Burmese fishermen who force them to dive to depths of 35-40 metres, and resurface quickly. Many suffer from related illnesses, some never come back up.
The few Moken who still live on the Sea are also facing troubles of their own. Many will journey out on their boats and once they return, their houses have been demolished and tourist accommodation stands in their place. So they explore to find a new land for them to rebuild their houses, and then get arrested for being on someone else's land.
Figures 28-30 show how the Moken people of the Andaman Sea becoming emotionally and mentally effected by new laws and modernisation; going from a free life of roaming to a restricted life, which for the Moken, is like jail.
The Moken are a nomadic sea tribe; they are meant to travel, to be free. Now many are arrested for voyaging around on their boats and fishing for traditional food like shellfish and crabs.They are currently becoming ill, depressed,resorting to alcohol and are uncertain of the Moken future. Though their culture seems to be dying, there is still hope- leaders of Moken tribes bring the 'sea gypsies' together to pass down their traditional stories, customs and rituals that have enabled these extraordinary people to live in harmony with the sea for so long."Certainly, the knowledge that the Sea Gypsies have passed on to the rest of the world is something we won't soon forget." (Ydong: 2012)
The few Moken who still live on the Sea are also facing troubles of their own. Many will journey out on their boats and once they return, their houses have been demolished and tourist accommodation stands in their place. So they explore to find a new land for them to rebuild their houses, and then get arrested for being on someone else's land.
Figures 28-30 show how the Moken people of the Andaman Sea becoming emotionally and mentally effected by new laws and modernisation; going from a free life of roaming to a restricted life, which for the Moken, is like jail.
The Moken are a nomadic sea tribe; they are meant to travel, to be free. Now many are arrested for voyaging around on their boats and fishing for traditional food like shellfish and crabs.They are currently becoming ill, depressed,resorting to alcohol and are uncertain of the Moken future. Though their culture seems to be dying, there is still hope- leaders of Moken tribes bring the 'sea gypsies' together to pass down their traditional stories, customs and rituals that have enabled these extraordinary people to live in harmony with the sea for so long."Certainly, the knowledge that the Sea Gypsies have passed on to the rest of the world is something we won't soon forget." (Ydong: 2012)